Gutter support



Sept. 16, 1941. M RACHUN V 2,256,126

GUTTER SUPPORT Filed Nov. 20,1940 2 Sheets-Sheet l Wa g Sept. 16, 1941. M. RACHLIN 2,256,126

GUTTER SUPPORT Filed Nov. 20, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Sept. 16, 1941 UNITED STATES PTENT OFFICE GUTTER SUPPORT Max Rachlin, Flushing, N. Y.

Application November 20, 1940, Serial No. 366,477

(Cl. 248- l8.2)

9 Claims.

This invention relating as indicated to an eaves trough support, is more particularly directed to an article of manufacture, in which an attaching plate has permanently connected thereto a gutter supporting circle. The attaching plate is adapted to lie flush against any vertical surface, such as a facia board or the outer vertical surface of a roof rafter, and is provided with apertures through which attaching means such as nails, screws, or the like, may extend. The gutter circle is rigidly secured to the attaching plate and is seated in slots in the attaching plate in such manner that side-wise or lateral movement is prevented and also in such manner that down Ward movement of the circle, even under a heavy load, is prevented, due to a novel arrangement of securing and seating the circle with respect to the plate.

It is one object of my invention to provide a gutter support which is useful in replacement jobsbecause my support can be aflixed to the facia board or the end of a roof rafter without the necessity of removing any of the roofing material. This type of hanger is not new but heretofore the bracket type of hanger has been too expensive or too weak.

For example, one type of bracket hanger comprises a channel shaped member, in cross section, that is the facia board abutting portion as well as the circle itself is channel shaped. This is a sheet metal stamping but is objectionable from the standpoint of cost since considerable metal is used and this type of hanger lacks the necessary strength.

Other types of bracket hangers are too expensive because of the number of operations required in their manufacture and the amount of metal required.

It is an object of the invention to improve all known types by providing an interlock between the circle and the plate and riveting the plate to the circle. In this way the rivet does not carry all of the weight, which lessens the shearing force, and the circle cannot turn about the rivet as an axis, which would cause failure under load.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a hanger in which the plate is rigidly connected to the circle by some such means as a rivet and thus avoid bolted connections, since it has been found that bolted connections loosen due to vibration.

A further object of the invention is to eliminate one operation of the roofer where shanks and circles are used. My combined plate and circle is manufactured under the conditions of mass production and a stronger support can be obtained at less cost under close supervision. Heretofore, where shanks and circles are used, the circle is bolted to the shank by a roofer who is standing upon a ladder, usually at a high elevation, and under conditions where it is difficult to Work.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide an eaves trough support in which the gutter circle is held rigidly at right angles to the facia board, and one in which the circle will remain at right angles.

It is another object of the invention to provide a less expensive eaves trough support and yet one which possesses more strength than the prior bracket types of support or the shank and circle type.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, said invention, then, consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particu' larly pointed out in the claims.

The annexed drawings and the following description set forth in detail certain structure embodying the invention, such disclosed means constituting, however, but one of various mechanical forms in which the principle of the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawings:

Figure l is a side elevation with the gutter in section.

Figure 2 is a front elevation with parts broken away.

Figure 3 is vertical section through the plate.

Figure 4 is a horizontal section on line 4-4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is partial elevation of the gutter circle.

Figure 6 is a front elevation of a modified form of the attaching plate.

Figure '7 is a central vertical section of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a front elevation of another modification of the attaching plate.

Figure 9 is a central vertical section of Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a front elevation of a still further modified formof the attaching plate and Figure 11 is a central vertical section of Figure 10.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to Figure 1, it will be seen that my eaves trough support comprises a gutter circle I and an attaching plate 2, the circle having an outer hook 3, adapted to receive a retaining clip 4. The circle also has another hook portion 5,

adapted to retain the inner edge of the gutter 20, that lies opposite to the bead portion.

The circle I has its rear upper vertical edge 7 notched so as to provide a'tongue like portion 6 7 (see Figs. 3 and which is adapted to fit snugly into the .slot 8, located adjacent tothe upper edge of the plate 2 and centrally thereof. The

. plate 2 is additionally provided with another and. larger slot A, in which the circle I is snugly shoulder 25 is adapted to abut the surface 22 in slot 8 (see Fig. 3) and similarly, the shoulder 24 is adapted to abut the surface in such slot. An additional anchor means is provided in the form of a shoulder 29 in the'circle I, which abuts surface 27 in the attaching plate 2. By these means, movement about rivet I3 as an axis, is definitely precluded. Furthermore, a considerable shjare of the weight borne by the gutter is transmitted to thesurface 20 on plate 2, since shoulder 24 on the circle directly abuts this surface. As a consequence of this construction, the shearing stress upon'rivet I3 is greatly reduced. 'The surfaces 22, 2|], 21 and I2 all coact to prevent clockwise'or counter-clockwise move ment of thecircle about the rivet I3 as an axis and thus reduce the strain on rivet I3. The movement'of the circle-I inwardly with respect to the attaching plate 2, is positively prevented because the seat I2 in the protuberance maintains the circle in a predetermined position and the protuberance II being slotted prevents lateral movement of the circle I since it outwardly embraces the lateral faces of the circle. The surfaces 2| and 2| of the slot A directly abut the lateral or flat surfaces of the gutter circle I, thus'preventing twisting or turning of the circle.

The plate 2 has struck up therefrom a lug I4, this lug'extending at right angles tothe plate and being provided with an aperture '9.

The circle I is also provided witha corresponding aperture and a rivet I3 extends through both such apertures, thus 'rig'idl'y and permanently securing the circle to the plate.

Further means of maintaining the circle, I in I fixed relationship is provided, this taking the form of a slot A in the substantially hemispherical protuberance II. "This slot is bounded on three sides by the vertical walls 2| and 2| and transverse seat I2. It is to be particularly noticed thatthe slot A does not extend throughout the full 180 degreesof the protuberance I I. It is also to be noted that the plate itself, is provided with a slot that is continuous with the slot 2| and in [which the vertical upper rear portion I (see Fig. 3 ofthe circle I is received. This slot in the plate itself, or stated in other wordsyin the flat portion of the plate, communicates from the opening formed by striking up lu'g;|4, with the slot A. V

The rivet I3, or other equivalent securing means, anchors the circle at one point' with integral lug I4 and also by the walls 2| and 2! of the slot A in the protuberance 'I Fur ther anchorage is obtained bymea'ns of the projecting portion 6 fitting snugly in the slot 8,

and by engagement of surfaces 25, 24 and 29 on .the circle, with surfaces 22, 29 and 21 respecthe house, thus rotting the facia board and marring the Walls of the house.

Referring now to Figure 6, it will be seen that I have provided a modification which is somewhat cheaper than the preferred embodiment although not as strong- In this case, the attaching plate 2 is substantially flat except for the upstanding lugs I4 and '36. The circle I is adapted toibe secured to the lugs I4 and 39 by means of rivets or, if desired, by Welding. Rivets are adapted to extend through the apertures 2 and 3|, thus maintaining the circle I in a firm position and in such manner that twisting (of the circle with respect to the plate is eliminated. The plate 2' is additionally provided with a slot i3v similar to the slot 8'in;

the'plate 2. This slot performs thesame func-' tion as slot 8 and need not be described in detail. Suffice it to say that the projection 6 extends into the slot 8? and the surfaces 25, 24 and 29 on the circle respectively engage the surfaces 22', 2B and 2? on the plate 2'. In each ofthemodifications' embodied in Figures I 6 toll inclusive, the circle has not been shown since the parts 'of the plate can'be seen more clearly. It will, of'coursefbe understood that the circle is adapted to fit into the plate in the same manner'as is described in connection with the preceding figures.

Referring to Figure ,8, there will be found another modification, which is believed to be somewhat stronger than the embodiment shown in Figures 6 and '7. Inthis case, the plate 2a has a slot ea and'an upstanding lug Ida, both of which perform the same functions as described in connection with slot 8 and lug I4 of Figures .2 and 3. This modification differs from the preceding forms of the invention in that the protuberance 34 is formed by striking out a central. lower portion of the plate 2a. It will be seen that the protuberance has parallel substantially triangular walls 36 and'3l which are joined by a transverse wall 34. The upper edge 33 of the transverse Wall forms ,a seat comparable to seat'I2 of Figure 2. This form of the invention gives exceedingly strong supp'ort' to the gutter circle inasmuch as the-transverse wall 34 is an integral part of the plate 2a. It is believed that the "circle itself, will fail before failure of the seat 33 due to any downward thrust. The upper edge of the circle I is interlocked to the plate in the same manner as previously described since the projection Ii on the circle fits snugly into the slot 8a in theplate 2a.

Referring now to Figure 10; a still further modified form is shown which differs somewhat from the preceding forms in the particular shape of the protuberance; This modification has an upstanding lug Mb and'a slot 8b, which function in the same manner as lug I [and slot 8.

The lower central portion of the plate 2b has a part thereof, struck up and then bent upon itself as most clearly shown in Figure 11. The protuberance 40 having the slot C, is provided with a seat 4| against which the lower edge iii of the circle is designed to abut. In this form, the slot C, similar to the slot A prevents any lateral movement of the gutter circle I.

In all forms, the various plates are provided with apertures adapted to receive fastening means such as nails or screws.

It is to be understood that the precise outline of the plates 2, 2, 2a and 2b may be varied from those shown. In some instances, it may be less expensive to form the vertical side edges of the plates at right angles to upper horizontal edge. It may also be desired to form the lower horizontal edge in a straight line parallelto the upper horizontal edge. It is further to be understood that the lug 30 and the various protuberances H, 34 and 49 may extend outwardly any distance depending upon the size of circle employed with the attaching plate.

It is to be understood that the eaves trough support of my invention may be attached to a faci-a board I9, or, where the eaves project and the rafters are exposed, plate 2 may be attached to the outer vertical end of a roof rafter, or any other supporting surface.

In the foregoing description, it will be seen that I have provided an eaves trough support which is an improvement over prior bracket types of gutter hangers and one which can be installed after the roof is applied. It will also be noticed that the plate and circle being in one piece, eliminates an awkward operation by the roofer where shanks and circles have been used. It will be seen that my eaves trough support is inexpensively manufactured, thus providing a support which is stronger at less cost. It will further be noted that the employment of my eaves trough support permits adjustment of the gutter to any degree, with great facility, and that the gutter circle is rigidly held at right angles to the facia board.

Finally it will be noted that any load bearing downwardly is effectively taken care of by the seat l2 in the protuberance ll plus several interlocks between surfaces in the upper portion of the gutter circle with surfaces in the upper portion of the attaching plate.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employed instead of the one explained, change being made as regards the mechanism herein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the following claims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed. I

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention:

1. An article of the character described comprising a plate and a gutter circle, said circle being secured to a portion of said plate, said plate being provided with a protuberance, said protuberance having a slot therein and said circle fitting into said slot.

2. An article of the character described comprising a plate and a gutter circle, said circle being secured to a portion of said plate, said plate being provided with an outstanding protuberance, said protuberance and plate having a slot therein and said circle fitting into said slot.

3. An article of the character described comprising a plate and a gutter circle, said circle being secured to a portion of said plate, said plate being provided with an outstanding protuberance, said protuberance having a slot therein and said circle fitting into said slot, said plate also having a slot therein, such slot being spaced from said protuberance, and said circle having a tongue like portion snugly fitting into such last named slot, whereby said circle is interlocked with said plate.

4. An article of the character described comprising a plate and a gutter circle, said circle being secured to a portion of said plate, said plate being provided with an outstanding protuberance, said protube'rancehaving a slot therein and said circle fitting into said slot, said plate also having a slot therein, such slot being spaced from said protuberance, and said circle having a tongue like portion snugly fitting into such last named slot, said plate having another slot therein, said last named slot being a continuation of the slot in said protuberance and said circle having a portion seated in such continuous slot.

5. An article of the character described comprising a plate and a gutter circle, said circle being secured to a portion of said plate, said plate being provided with an outstanding protuberance, said protuberance and plate having a slot therein and said circle fitting into said slot, said protuberance being substantially hemispherical and the slot therein extending less than degrees.

6. An article of the character described comprising a plate and a circle, said plate having a slot therein and said circle having a portion thereof seated in said slot, said slot having parallel lateral walls joined by a transverse surface, the lower edge of said circle being seated upon said transverse surface.

'7. An article of the character described comprising a substantially flat plate and a gutter circle, said plate having an upstanding lug to which said circle is secured, said plate having a protuberance in the form of a bent strip, a vertical slot in said bent strip and a lower portion of said circle being received in said slot.

8. An article of the character described comprising a plate and a gutter circle, said plate having an upstanding lug to which said circle is secured, said plate having an outstanding, load bearing protuberance, said protuberance projecting out of the interior body portion of said plate and lying below said lug, said protuberance having a bearing surface extending transversely with respect to said circle, the lower edge of said circle being seated upon said bearing surface.

9. An article of the character described comprising a substantially fiat plate and a gutter circle, said plate having an upstanding lug to which said circle is secured, said plate having an outstanding protuberance, said protuberance projecting out of the interior body portion of said plate and lying below said lug, said protuberance having a bearing surface therein, said circle being substantially flat and extending in a plane at right angles to the plane of said flat plate, the lower edge of said circle being seated upon said bearing surface.

' MAX RACHLIN. 

